The current Trans-Tasman Wrap champion will not defend its title next month, opening the way for someone new to take out the trophy at the big NZSDA weekend in Christchurch.
Auckland’s Graphic Application Specialists (GAS) has stood itself down from the competition. Scott Dalziell, director at GAS, says it felt like the right thing to do, especially given the nature of the prizes. He says, “We are really an application company and the major prize is a printer, which we would only sell if we won it. It’s good that someone else can have a crack at it though, and we will certainly stay involved.”
Dalziell will participate in this year’s competition as a judge. He says, “We want to see the high standards maintained and we are looking forward to the weekend in April. Also, we haven’t run out of steam; we will return in the future.”
The event will take place at the the Air Force Museum at Wigram, alongside the NZ Sign Expo, which runs from april 15-16. The NZSDA will also host its conference and annual awards during what looks like a full on weekend of signage festivities.
For the wrap competition, organisers have sweetened the prize pool with help from industry suppliers, who have responded to the call for support, bringing the prize pool total to almost $40,000.
Total Supply has provided first prize: a Mimaki JV400-160LX 7 colour latex printer. For the second prize winner, Jenrite has a Polar 1610 cold roller mounter/laminator ready to go. Sign Supplies will provide the third prize winner with a $2,000 credit account. Fourth prize, a 1524mm wrap kit, comes via 3m. The NZSDA will provide a personalised Health and Safety pack for fifth place.
2014 champions but not this year, the team from Graphic Application Specialists, from left: Scott Dalziell, Nick Wearing, and Kiri Marshall
Brian Fairchild, secretary NZSDA, says that that SsangYong has offered a virtually unlimited number of Tivoli SUVs for wrapping. He says, “The vehicles will be wrapped in art created by award winning designer and signmaker Andy Lowe from Image Creators in Motueka.”
The competition pits teams of three going hard out against each other, with the aim of finishing the entire wrap first, and accruing the least number of penalty points for imperfections in the finished wrap. Fairchild says that, while each team must consist of three people, they needn’t come from the same company.
To top off the weekend, the winning New Zealand Team will face the Australian champions on Saturday April 16, at the same venue, to compete for the Trans-Tasman trophy.
Click here for more information about the competition
